This information is for patients who are having a tiny sample of tissue taken from the body, known as a biopsy. It explains what is involved and what significant risks there may be.
A biopsy involves the removal of a few cells or tiny sample using a needle.
Reasons for having a biopsy
The doctor’s examination and other tests (such as an ultrasound scan, a CT scan or a blood test) may have suggested some abnormality, This can be confirmed by taking a biopsy of the area for the laboratory to examine in detail and may save you from having an operation.
Your appointment
- You will be sent a letter with details of the date and time of your appointment.
- It is an outpatient procedure.
- If you take anticoagulant medication (‘blood thinners’ such as Warfarin, Apixaban, Rivaroxaban, Clopidogrel etc.) please contact the doctor who requested this procedure as soon as possible (via their secretary) for you to discuss whether you need to stop taking them before the appointment. Their number can be found on your clinic letters.
Preparation
- This procedure will usually be done under local anaesthetic.
- The procedure will usually take about 10-20 minutes and you will be in the department for up to an hour.
On arrival at the hospital
Please come to the Imaging Department at the time stated on your letter.
- An Imaging Nurse will see you before your procedure. Please tell the imaging nurse if you have any allergies or asthma and about any medications that you are taking.
- You may be asked to change into a gown.
- A radiologist (a specialist doctor) will explain the biopsy procedure and ask you to sign a consent form to confirm that you understand it and agree to go ahead with it. Please ask any questions that you want.
- A nurse will stay with you throughout the procedure
Procedure
- You will lie on a couch and have a local anaesthetic injection over the proposed site of the biopsy.
- The radiologist who performs the biopsy wears sterile gloves. The area of the biopsy will be cleaned with antiseptic and sterile paper towels will protect the area.
- The ultrasound machine (which makes images using sound waves) will be used by the radiologist to guide the long needle into the correct spot.
- The long needle is used to extract a tiny sample of the node for the laboratory.
- The whole procedure takes about 20 minutes.
- You will need to stay in the department for 30-60 minutes after your biopsy
What it feels like
The local anaesthetic injection will sting at first, but this will soon pass and then the area goes numb. You may be aware of the needle and some pressure, but it is not painful.
After the biopsy
- You will be asked to stay in the Imaging department for another 15-30 minutes to ensure you are feeling well, before you can go home
- Any biopsy results will take up to 14 days and will be sent to the doctor that requested the biopsy.
Risks or complications
This procedure is safe but there are some risks associated with all procedures.
- Occasionally the biopsy may not be successful, (insufficient cells) so it may need to be repeated.
- There is a small risk of bleeding, but only very rarely is it severe enough to need a blood transfusion or an operation to stop the bleeding.
There is a small risk of infection in the biopsy site, but the equipment used will be sterile and the radiologist will wear sterile gloves and clean the area thoroughly beforehand to reduce this risk.
Please speak to the radiologist before the procedure if you have any concerns about these risks.
For further information
Please phone the Imaging specialist Nurses on 01582 718174. To change or cancel your appointment, please call the booking clerk- the number is at the top of your appointment letter.